Chapter Zodiac to Zulzul of Z by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Zoraida , a Moorish lady, daughter of Agimorato the richest man in Barbary. On being baptized, she had received the name of Maria; and, eloping with a Christian captive, came to Andalusia.—Cervantes: Don Quixote, I. iv. 9–11 (“The Captive,” 1605).

Zorphee , a fairy in the romance of Amadis de Gaul (thirteenth century).

Zosimus, the patriarch of the Greek Church.—Sir W. Scott: Count Robert of Paris (time, Rufus).

Zounds, a corrupt contraction of “his wounds,” as zooks is “his hooks,” and zdeath “his death.” Of course, by “his” Jesus Christ is meant. “Odd splutter” is a contraction of Gots plut und hur nails (“God’s blood and the nails”). Sir John Perrot, a natural son of Henry VIII., was the first to use the oath of “God’s wounds,” which queen Elizabeth adopted, but the ladies of her court minced it into zounds and zouterkins.

Zulal, that soft, clear, and delicious water which the happy drink in paradise.

“Ravishing beauty, universal mistress of hearts,” replied I; “thou art the water of Zulal. I burn with the thirst of love. and must die if you reject me.”—Comte de Caylus. Oriental Tales (“The Basket,” 1743).

Zuleika [Zu-lai-ka], daughter of Giaffer [Djaf-fir] pacha of Abydos. Falling in love with Selim, her cousin, she flees with him, and promises to be his bride; but the father tracks the fugitives and shoots Selim, whereupon Zuleika dies of a broken heart.—Byron: Bride of Abydos (1813).

Never was a faultless character more delicately or more justly delineated than that of lord Byron’s “Zuleika.” Her piety, her intelligence, her strict sense of duty, and her undeviating love of truth appear to have been originally blended in her mind, rather than inculcated by education. She is always natural, always attractive, always affectionate; and it must be admitted that her affections are not unworthily bestowed.—G. Ellis.

Zuleika , Joseph’s wife. The Times, in its report of the prince of Wales at the mosque of Hebron, and referring to Joseph’s tomb, says—

It is less costly than the others; and it is remarkable that, although his wife’s name was Zuleika (according to Mussulman tradition), and is so inscribed in the certificates given to pilgrims, yet no grave bearing that name is shown.

Zulichium (The enchanted princess of), in the story told by Agelastes the cynic, to count Robert.—Sir W. Scott: Count Robert of Paris (time, Rufus).

Zulzul, the sage whose life was saved in the form of a rat by Gedy the youngest of the four sons of Corcud. Zulzul gave him, in gratitude, two poniards, by the help of which he could climb the highest tree or most inaccessible castle.—Gueulette: Chinese Tales (“Corcud and His Four Sons,” 1723).